Imagine a place where everyone feels like they belong, where friendships are made, and where leaders come together to change the world. That place was the Best Buddies Leadership Conference (BBLC) 2024, themed “Everybuddy Belongs.” Held at Indiana University in Bloomington from July 19th to 22nd, the conference brought together 2,000 student leaders, job program participants, advisors, and community leaders from all 50 states and 47 countries. Among them were 45 incredible students and ambassadors from Connecticut, who joined this global celebration of leadership, friendship, and inclusion.

Overcoming Challenges Together

The journey to the conference wasn’t easy. Due to a global travel outage, many attendees faced delays. But the Connecticut students, like everyone else, persevered. They remembered why they were going to BBLC: to learn, to grow, and to bring the spirit of Best Buddies back to their communities. Their determination paid off, and they all made it to Indiana safely, ready to dive into an unforgettable experience.

A High-Energy Start

The conference kicked off with opening ceremonies that were nothing short of spectacular. As nearly 2,000 attendees filled the IU auditorium, the air buzzed with excitement. Lights flashed, music played, and everyone sang, danced, and cheered together. The energy in the room was electric, and it set the tone for the entire weekend.

The opening ceremony featured amazing performances, including the exceptionally talented blind singer Marlana Vanhoose, an awesome DJ, the cover boyband Larger Than Life, and even the Indianapolis Colts Cheerleaders. Each performance was filled with joy and inspiration, making everyone feel like they were part of something special.

Best Buddies Founder Anthony Kennedy Shriver welcomed everyone with an inspiring speech. He encouraged the leaders to take on challenges and be the best they can for their members, buddies, and communities. His words motivated everyone in the room to strive for greatness and to bring that energy back home.

The night was made even more special when Miss America and Miss USA joined the celebration. They helped recognize outstanding participants and chapters, showing how much Best Buddies means to so many people. For Mia Niglio, Vice President of the Cheshire High School chapter, the opening ceremony was her favorite part of the conference. She said, “The talent and energy on stage and in the auditorium were so incredibly amazing. I’ve never cried so many happy tears, and I still get chills thinking about it!”

Opening ceremonies

Learning and Growing Together

Saturday and Sunday were packed with opportunities to learn, grow, and connect. Attendees heard from amazing speakers who moved, inspired, and energized everyone. Child star, Down syndrome activist, and author Mia Armstrong shared her story, while actor, author, and speaker Mickey Rowe inspired the audience with his journey. They also danced with Billy Blanks Jr. from Kibu and listened to panels by Best Buddies staff, volunteers, and members. One of the most powerful speakers was Kelsey O’Connor, a motivational speaker and traumatic brain injury survivor who shared her incredible story of resilience.

Throughout the weekend, students worked with new friends from places like Colorado, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Georgia, and California. They attended sessions that helped them learn how to run their chapters better, develop leadership and delegation skills, and create effective matching strategies. Each session was designed to help them bring back new ideas and strategies to their own schools and communities. Our ambassadors worked to carefully craft speeches to share their story with the world.

On Saturday night, everyone gathered at the Skodjt Assembly Hall for the Inclusion Olympics, celebrating Best Buddies’ 35th year of operation. The event was filled with excitement, with a Taylor Swift cover band providing the music. There was plenty of dancing, a friendship walk, games, and a dance party that brought everyone together. It was a night to remember and a true celebration of inclusion and community.

For Wilson Ouimet, Chapter President at E.O. Smith High School, this sense of community was the highlight of the conference. “My favorite part of BBLC was getting to know the CT community better and the larger Best Buddies community that the conference established and fostered,” he said. “I had so much fun meeting new people and learning their unique ‘why’ for being involved in Best Buddies. Experiencing this one-of-a-kind community was something that I will never forget, and I am already so excited for next year!”

Wilson Ouimet, pictured on the left with Pablo Morineau, Joel Barlow high School Chapter President at the Inclusion Olympics

Building Connections and Creating Change

Sunday was another day filled with learning and connection. High school students focused on disability awareness and participated in a World Café, where they brainstormed and shared ideas with other student leaders. College students attended workshops on managing tough conversations, delegation skills, self-care as a leader, and fundraising for friendship walks.

The day ended with closing ceremonies, where everyone came together to celebrate a successful weekend. They heard moving ambassador speeches, empowering messages, and celebrated the vision of a more inclusive future. The conference wrapped up with the Festival of Friendship, where attendees danced, sang karaoke, bowled, played pool, and enjoyed time with friends new and old. It was the perfect way to end an incredible weekend, filled with laughter, joy, and memories that will last a lifetime.

Addison Plummer, President of the Newtown High School Chapter, loved the positive atmosphere at the conference. “I loved the general vibe that was at the conference—everyone got along so well. It was such an amazing environment, where everyone had a shared passion to bond over!” she said.

Best Buddies CT College Leaders

Taking the Spirit of BBLC Home

As Monday morning came, it was time to say goodbye—or rather, see you later. The connections made, the friendships built, and the lessons learned at BBLC 2024 would not be forgotten. For Summer Garrepy, UCONN Officer, the network of connections she built was the most meaningful part of the conference. “While I anticipated​⬤